A 6/10th of a cent increase could raise $6 million more to fund maintenance and operations, which might be needed to combat declining state funding, said Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration.

“We need to invest in preventative maintenance on our buildings,” Snyder said before the meeting. “We still are at way too low a level, and so these older buildings are deteriorating faster than we can keep the roofs repaired.”

In addition to helping maintain campus buildings, the money would help the district add electronic door security access to buildings for $3 million as part of the emergency management plan, Snyder said.

“If we had the unthinkable — a shooter on campus — today, we don't have the ability to flip a switch ... and lock down that building,” Snyder said. “We would have to send a person to go with keys and try to lock it down.”

But adding expenses such as door security and student success initiatives for degree completion to the budget, as well as addressing state changes to retirement and health benefits, would require trustees find another $10.9 million, some of which could be offset by a tax increase.

Under staff members' initial proposal, the total tax rate would increase from about 14.16 cents to about 14.81 cents per $100 of taxable value.

District leaders also proposed a 2 percent salary increase for all 1,481 fulltime non-faculty staff members — including everyone from administrators to housekeepers — to stay competitive with other community colleges in the state.

Of the $1.4 million price tag for the salary bump, $160,000 would go to administrators. Trustees have already approved separate changes to salary plans for faculty members.

The board may set the tax rate, along with voting on an operating budget, on July 24.